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Dobber Hockey Dobber Sports

Published on Tuesday, July 21, 2015

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Tuesday, July 21

 

 

Looking at breakthroughs, busts and Artemi Panarin's AHL likelihood ...

 

 

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Crickets …

 

Dobber talked Craig Smith yesterday, and his signing was the biggest chatter of the day. There is some heartfelt news out of St. Louis with Troy Brouwer talking about his move to Missouri and how it has impacted his wife's pregnancy. Interestingly, this is the type of thing Ian was talking about, sort of, in his real-world analysis in the ramblings Sunday.

 

I'm not into talking Martin St. Louis. His run was touched on earlier when he announced his retirement. I always liked him, sort of, but he was never a cog on any of my fantasy teams.

 

I know I utilized him a few times in daily fantasy, but I have never drafted him in a league or pool. He was either unavailable or off my radar, nonetheless, St. Louis was one of the best scorers of an era and won everything needed to land a permanent home in the National Hockey League Hall of Fame.

 

Here is the story from NHL.com with a clip from St. Louis' press conference.

 

 

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The topic of Artemi Panarin starting in the American Hockey League was brought up by Dobber, and then discussed in the comments section, too.

 

Stan Bowman weighed in Saturday. The key point is that Panarin isn't needed on the second line or likely even on the roster October 1. Acclimating to North America appears to be priority No. 1. However, and similar to the ascension of Teuvo Teravainen this season, Panarin's contributions could count most when the stakes are highest.

 

 

He'll have to turns heads and prove he is more than ready in camp to earn a spot on the opening day roster. It just makes too much sense for him to leave nothing left to prove in the AHL before he joins the big club, though.

 

Shifting back to the thought process Ian outlined/discussed Sunday. Playing top-offensive minutes in the AHL while adjusting off the ice makes a lot more sense than playing a limited role with the Blackhawks and adjusting everywhere.

 

Loading up his confidence and going back and forth between the NHL and AHL a few times, again, similar to Teravainen, is more logical than thrusting him into a top-six role with the big club immediately or having him spend half his time as a healthy scratch.

This is especially true because Chicago doesn't have a hole in their lineup. Sure, there is room for improvement here and there, but ultimately, they're rolling out the same core that just brought home the Stanley Cup.

 

Don't waste a draft pick on Panarin, at least in the majority of leagues.

 

Here is another quick read about Panarin.

 

 

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We rolled out Busts last week at The Fake Hockey and are talking Sleepers this week.

Here are a few quick-hit takes of my own.

 

D Paul Martin, San Jose Sharks - He was hardly fantasy relevant receiving No. 1 power-play time with the Penguins, so moving to the Western Conference isn't going to help the 34-year-old defenseman. Health has been an issue, and he doesn't shoot often or take enough penalties to really tilt the scales. He also isn't going to receive the power-play minutes to make a difference.

 

W Jason Zucker, Minnesota Wild - His 21-goal season -- over just 51 games -- was extremely empty otherwise. He had just five helpers, a minus-9 rating and only 18 penalty minutes. He also went eight games without a point and another nine with just one goal. He'll need consistent top-six minutes, which is unlikely. You'll want to aim higher, as Zucker is a streamer for four-game weeks and not a roster mainstay. 16.9 shooting percentage is a warning sign, too.

 

D Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay Lightning - He is a far better player in the real game than the fake, and while he was a fantasy darling in 2014-15, what's next? Expecting another 35-point season could be asking a lot, and if the point total drops, the plus/minus rating isn't worth Stralman's likely draft position. A fine No. 4 or lower rearguard, but the lack of penalty minutes and shots isn't inspiring for further fantasy success.

 

C Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators - While the veteran has been a consistent scorer over the past three seasons, he also has virtually no upside. There are going to be five centers on your waiver wire -- in most leagues -- offering similar production to him. Don't waste the draft pick late. Instead swing for the fences with a high-risk, high-reward flier. Plus, besides Carrie Underwood, who leaves their draft excited to have Mike Fisher?

 

D Tobias Enstrom, Winnipeg Jets - This could depend more on what happens with the development of a few young blue liners and where they fit into the mix. Still, Enstrom should be behind Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba for offensive minutes. 30-point defenseman are a dime a dozen, especially ones who do little else.

 

 

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50 players met the 60-point plateau last season and 127 reached 40 points. The goal should always be finding the players who are going to jump from the 35-50 point range and enter the 65-point conversation.

 

It is often easier said than done, but unless you're grabbing a stat stuffer -- Chris Kreider, Justin Abdelkader -- there is no point in grabbing Adam Henrique, Drew Stafford, Frans Nielsen or Jussi Jokinen late in drafts. You'll be able to scoop up the same statistics off your waiver wire.

 

There are deeper leagues where it isn't that easy, but really all that changes is that you're shifting the point ranges down from 30 to 45 points and aiming to reach 55. Chase upside early and often throughout the season, because the fallback options are endless.

 

 

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So, who can make the jump during the 2015-16 season?

 

Here are a few candidates:

 

C/W Anders Lee, New York Islanders - While he may also be a bust candidate, Lee scored 25 goals and didn't receive the offensive minutes he will this coming season. Oddly, he was also a healthy scratch in the playoffs. His new contract looks to have solved that slip up, though. Lee has 30-goal upside and is a high-volume shooter.

 

C/W Mathieu Perreault, Winnipeg Jets - Health is the only concern, and it has kept him under 50 points in consecutive seasons. The plus with Perreault is his penalty minutes fly under the radar. The injuries are problematic because of his diminutive frame, but when in the lineup the past two seasons, he has scored. And a top-six role with power-play minutes should be a lock.

 

W James Neal, Nashville Predators - Mike talked about him recently, and while his 2014-2015 season wasn't a complete loss, there is more in the tank for Neal. Returning to high-end production is unlikely, but he tips the scales in every fantasy category.

 

C/W Brandon Dubinsky, Columbus Blue Jackets - He was a fantasy -- and real-world -- difference maker last season, and the Blue Jackets are poised to bounce back in 2015-16. Dubinsky shoots enough, and while he doesn't pile on the points, flirting with 60 is within his reach. Add a positive rating to the penalty minutes and there is a lot to like, especially if he is available as a winger.

 

W Benoit Pouliot, Edmonton Oilers - Ensure he receives a top-six role, which he should, and then target Pouliot late and enjoy. He doesn't fit the breakout career path, but the situation trumps all in this case. If it doesn't work out, you can always trade Pouliot in for Stafford or someone similar.

 

 

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Here is a recap and another perspective of some offseason moves from Esten McLaren.

 

Enjoy the July lulls.


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